Straight answers about buying, selling and paying for a home, written in plain English. Pick your goal below and start with the first article. Each one links to the next step, so you never have to guess what to read next. New here? Buyers start with the checklist, sellers start with the cost of selling, and everyone should know their budget first.
Buying a home
- First-Time Homebuyer Checklist: Step by Step
- How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?
- Buyer Agreements Explained: What You Sign Before You Tour
- What Is Earnest Money? How Much, Where It Goes and How to Protect It
- Home Inspection Checklist: What Inspectors Check and What to Ask
- Understanding Closing Costs: What Buyers Pay
- Relocating to a New State: A Buyer's Guide
- Is It a Buyer's Market? How to Tell and What to Do
Full walk-through: home buying guide.
Selling a home
- How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?
- How to Price Your Home Right in a Shifting Market
- Home Staging Tips to Sell Faster
- Selling a Home When Interest Rates Are High
- Seller's Market Trends: When to List Your Home
Full walk-through: home selling guide.
Paying for a home
- How to Budget for a Home When Rates Are High
- How to Improve Your Credit Score for a Better Mortgage Rate
- FHA vs. Conventional Loans: Which Is Right for You?
- Down Payment Assistance Programs: How They Work
- What Moves Mortgage Rates, and the Parts You Control
Full walk-through: home financing guide.
Local market guides
Prices, taxes, neighborhoods and closing rules change by city. Read the guide for where you want to live, or see the national housing market. New to the lingo? Start with the real estate glossary.
Where to start
Where should a first-time buyer start?
Start with the first-time homebuyer checklist, then get pre-approved so you know your budget before you tour homes.
Where should I start if I am selling?
Start with what it costs to sell a house, so you know your real take-home number, then get a free home value estimate.
Are these articles financial or legal advice?
No. They are general information. Rules change by state and loan type, so talk to a licensed agent, loan officer or attorney about your situation.
Understanding Closing Costs: What Buyers Pay
Closing costs surprise a lot of first-time buyers. They often add up to about 2% to 5% of the price. On a $300,000 home, that could be $6,000 to $15,000. Plan for them from day one. What is in closing costs? Lender fees. Origination or underwriting fees, plus any points you pay for a lower rate. App
Down Payment Assistance Programs: How They Work
Not having enough cash saved is the number one thing that stops people from buying. Down payment assistance can close that gap. Most people who qualify never even ask. Here is how it works. Where the money comes from Most help comes from state housing finance agencies, plus some cities, counties and
How to Improve Your Credit Score for a Better Mortgage Rate
Your credit score is one of the biggest things that sets your mortgage rate. A better rate can mean a lower payment every month for years. The good news: you can often move your score in a few months if you start now. Quick wins (1 to 2 months) Check your reports for free. Go to AnnualCreditReport.c
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